Hair treatment compositions

ABSTRACT

An aqueous and/or aqueous alcoholic leave-in composition to reduce the time to dry wet hair containing (a) at least one wetting agent having a Draves wetting value of 100 seconds of less selected in an amount sufficient to enhance the hydrophobicity of hair thereby causing water to dewet the hair, and optionally (b) at least one volatile selected from the group consisting of alcohols, dimethicone, trimethicone, and cyclomethicone and a method of shortening the time to dry wet hair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method for improving the drying time ofhair that is wet, for example, after bathing, shampooing, swimming, andthe like. In a preferred embodiment the invention concerns a hairstyling compositions that are applied to wet hair as a leave-intreatment for hair that additionally reduces the time to dry the hairduring styling.

STATE OF THE ART

A common complaint of women, particularly those with long hair, is thatit takes too long to dry and style their hair. Additionally, hair isoften damaged by prolonged exposure to heat from a hair blower. Oneproposed solution to these problems is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,567,428 in which compositions are disclosed comprising (a) apolysiloxane-grafted adhesive polymer, (b) a volatile, water insolublesolvent for the said polymer, and (c) a non-volatile, drying aid for thepolymer that is soluble in the solvent, which composition forms a filmon the hair.

Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny claims reduction of hair drying time bypenetrating deep into the hair shaft, which displaces water andconstricts the hair to a tighter diameter, thereby helping to reducedrying time. A tighter diameter is said to increase the surface area pervolume, thereby increasing the rate of water evaporation to reducedrying time.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method to improvethe drying of hair following showering, bathing, swimming, shampooing,or the like, by changing the hydrophobicity of the hair shaft to causedewetting of the hair.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel hairtreatment compositions to reduce the time for drying using wettingagents to cause dewetting and sheeting of water off hair without bindingthe wetting agent to hair.

A further object is to provide hair treatment compositions that reducethe time to dry wet hair and that also style the hair.

Still another object of the invention is to provide hair treatmentcompositions that reduce the time to dry wet hair and that alsocondition the hair.

Yet another object of the invention to provide a method of reducingdamage to hair by reducing the time to dry the hair.

A further object is to improve the flexibility and manageability of hairby maintaining hair in a partly hydrated condition.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeobvious from the following detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the invention are aqueous or hydroalcoholic hairtreatment compositions comprising at least one wetting agent. Whenapplied to wet hair, the presence of the wetting agent impartshydrophobicity to the hair. As a consequence, water present on the hairtends to bead up and is more easily removed, for example by gravity, bytoweling, by brushing, or by combing. Applicants have further found thatthe time to dry the hair is reduced, whether by air drying, toweldrying, or blow drying. Suitable wetting agents may be selected from thegroup consisting of silicone polyether surfactants, fluorinatedpolymers, fluorinated surface active agents, Gemini surfactants, andcombinations thereof.

In another embodiment the compositions of the present invention areaqueous or hydroalcoholic hair treatment compositions comprising (a) atleast one wetting agent; (b) at least one hair treatment component; (c)water, and optionally (d) at least one volatile solvent.

The hair treatment compositions may contain from about 10 to 99% byweight water; 0.05 to 10% by weight wetting agent; 0.01 to 10% by weightof hair treatment component selected from the group consisting of hairfixative agents, hair conditioning agents, and mixtures thereof, and 0to 55% by weight of the volatile solvent. The hair treatmentcompositions may be in the form of a gel, mousse as either an aerosol orpump, cream, spray as either an aerosol or pump, putty, spray wax,pomade, brilliantine, lotion, stick, strip, solution, dispersion, oremulsion. The products are leave-in products that are applied to wethair, any may be used to treat the hair, for example, styling productsand fixative products; products to provide a gloss to hair, or productsto condition hair to make it more manageable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention are intended for applicationto wet hair, in particular human hair on the head of the user, asleave-in products. The compositions are formulated so that the timeneeded to subsequently dry the hair is reduced. To this end thecompositions contain a wetting agent. When applied to wet hair, thewetting agent lowers the surface tension of the hair and impartssubstantial hydrophobicity to the hair. This enhanced hydrophobicitycauses the water present on the hair to bead on the hair, and alsopermits the water droplets to run from the hair due to gravity or otherforces, such as combing, brushing, or the force of air from a blowdryer. This process is referred to as sheeting. By removing excesswater, hair that has been treated with the wetting agent will be driedmore easily, i.e., in less time, whether air dried, towel dried, or blowdryer dried. In particular the compositions and methods of the presentinvention are especially suitable for hair longer than about threeinches and especially longer than about six inches.

While not wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, itis also believed that the wetting agent, especially in concert with ahair styling agent, provides a film on the hair that caused some of thewater that has penetrated the hair cuticle to remain within the hairshaft. This additionally reduces the amount of water that is to beremoved from the hair, thereby reducing drying time. Moreover, residualwater in the hair would impart greater flexibility and manageability tothe hair, and reduce split ends. Reduction in the time to dry hair byblow drying also results in less damage to the hair.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for reducingthe time to dry wet hair, for example, drying wet hair followingshowering, shampooing, bathing, swimming, and the like, comprisingapplying to wet hair an aqueous or hydroalcoholic composition containingthe wetting agent, and subsequently drying the hair. Before or duringthe drying step, the hair may be mechanically processed to help water tosheet from the hair. Such processing includes brushing, combing,toweling, and the like. In the case of toweling, it is seen thatmechanical action is typically combined with absorbing of the waterpresent on the hair. In the case of blow drying of the hair, it is seenthat the force of the hot air from the dryer will also cause the waterto sheet from the hair. In this embodiment, the composition comprisesthe wetting agent in an aqueous or hydroalcoholic vehicle. Surprisingly,the time to dry the hair is reduced, notwithstanding the application tohair of additional water.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provide acomposition and method for styling the hair while simultaneouslyreducing the time to dry the hair. As previously recited, the method forreducing the time to dry wet hair, for example, drying wet hairfollowing showering, shampooing, bathing, swimming, and the like,comprises applying to wet hair an aqueous or hydroalcoholic hair stylingcomposition comprising the wetting agent, a styling component, water andoptionally a volatile solvent, and subsequently drying the hair. Beforeor during the drying step, the hair may be mechanically processed tohelp water to sheet from the hair. Such processing includes brushing,combing, toweling, and the like. In the case of toweling, it is seenthat mechanical action is typically combined with absorbing of the waterpresent on the hair. In this embodiment, the composition comprises thewetting agent in an aqueous or hydroalcoholic vehicle. Surprisingly, thetime to dry the hair is reduced, notwithstanding the application to hairof additional water.

All concentrations in the specification and claims are percent by weightof the total composition on an active ingredient basis, unless indicatedto the contrary.

The Wetting Agent

Wetting agents for use in the compositions of the present invention arecharacterized by an ability to lower the surface tension of the hair.Thus, the wetting agents typically have a surface tension in the rangeof from about 15 to about 26, and preferably from about 17 to about 23dynes/cm (mN/m). The surface tension of the wetting agents is theequilibrium surface tension at 25° C., which is independent ofconcentrations above the critical micelle formation concentration (CMC).Equilibrium surface tension is measured, for example by Wilhemy plate,DuNouy ring or pendant drop shape analysis methods. Seewww.kruss.info/techniques/surface_tension_e.html.

The wetting agents useful in the compositions of the present inventionare further characterized as having a Draves wetting value of less than100 seconds, preferably less than 30 seconds, and most preferably lessthan 20 seconds. The Draves wetting value is determined in accordancewith ASTM D2281-68. In this test 0.5 g wetting agent is added to oneliter of tap water in a 1000 ml beaker and thoroughly mixed. A 45 cm (5g) Drave 40/2 cotton skein folded in two to a length of about 22 cm isbound with thread to a wire loop having a 40 g lead weight attachedthereto with a copper “s” hook. The other end of the skein is cut withscissors to leave it open. The lead weight is then gently placed at thewater's surface and dropped into the beaker while measuring the time ittakes for thread between the lead weight and the wire hook to slacken.The process is repeated with two other skeins and the average of thethree tests is taken.

Additionally, in some cases the wetting agents are superwetting agents.Superwetting is defined by the ability of a 1% aqueous solution of thewetting agent to spread on a paraffin substrate without mechanicalmeans. A time of less than 10 seconds, preferably less than 8 seconds,denotes superwetting for the wetting agent. See Randal M. Hill,Surfactant Science Series, v. 86 (Marcell Dekker 1999).

When present in an effective amount, a film of the wetting agent isformed on the hair, and allows water to bead on the hair, and to drainfrom the hair by gravity. It has been found that the compositions of thepresent invention containing the wetting agent and in particular thesuperwetting agent, reduce drying time of hair by blow drying by 15% ormore, preferably by 25% or more, and most preferably 50% or more.

The wetting agent is generally present in the composition in an amountof from about 0.05 to 10 wt. %, preferably from about 0.1 to 5 wt. %,and most preferably from about 0.5 to 2 wt. %. The amount of wettingagent tends to be proximate the low end of the range when it is asuperwetting agent.

The preferred wetting agents are selected from the group consisting ofsilicone polyether surfactants, fluorinated polymers and surface activeagents, gemini surfactants, fluorosilicones, and combinations thereof.

Silicone polyether surfactants are silicone polymers that have apolysiloxane backbone and onto which is provided an ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated chain to impart surface activity. Suitable siliconepolymers have the structural formula:

wherein a is an integer of from 0 to 6; preferably 1 to 3; b is aninteger of from 1 to 12, preferably 2 to 4; x is an integer of fromabout 6 to about 12, preferably about 8, and y is an integer of fromabout 0 to about 3, preferably 0. The silicone polyether surfactantstypically have a molecular weight of less than about 10,000, preferablyless than about 5,000, and most preferably from about 600 to about2,500. Preferred is the family of silicone polyethoxylated polymers soldunder the tradename Silsurf sold by Siltech LLC (Dacula, Ga.), forexample Silsurfs A-008, A-208, B-208 and C-208. Also suitable is Q2-5211Superwetting Agent sold by Dow Corning.

Suitable wetting agents also include fluorinated polymers andfluorinated surface active agents.

Fluorinated polymers include polyperfluoroethers, for example,polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether sold as Fomblin HC/01 and HC/02 bySolvay, and polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluoromethyl ether sold asFomblin HC/H-50 and HC/H-100, also by Solvay.

Suitable ethoxylated fluorosurfactants have chemical structureR_(f)CH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H  IIWherein R_(f) is F(CF₂CF₂)_(n); n is an integer of 3 to 8, and x is aninteger of from 0 to 30. These compounds are sold by Dupont under thename Zonyl, for example, Zonyl FSN, FSN-100, FSO-100, and FS-300. Alsosuitable is Zonyl FS-310.

Another class of fluorosurfactants materials are anionicfluorosurfactants, for example, DEA C8-16 perfluoroalkylethyl phosphatesold as Zonyl RP and ammonium C₆-C₁₆ perfluoroalkylethyl phosphate soldas Zonyl FSP, both by Dupont. Also suitable are fluorinated cationic,amphoteric, and zwitterionic fluorosurfactants, for example,polytetrafluoroethylene acetoxybetaine (Zonyl FSK) and C₄-C₁₈perfluoroalkylethyl thiohydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (Zonyl FSD).

Also suitable is perfluorodecalin, also known as decalin perfluoride, isa fully fluorinated, odorless liquid whose surface tension is 17.6 mN/msold under the tradename Flutec PC 6 by F2 Chemicals.

Another suitable fluorinated surfactant is perfluorocyclohexyl methanol,a fully fluorinated 1-hydroxymethyl cyclohexane compound, which isavailable from C.I.T. sold as Fiflow PB145.

Also suitable are fluorosilicones, such as perfluorononyl dimethicone, afluorinated silicone containing 14% fluorine, which is sold by BiosilTechnologies, Inc. under the tradename Biosil Basics Fluorosil 14. It issoluble in cyclomethicone and silicone fluid 350 vis, but insoluble inwater, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. Another fluorosiliconematerial is perfluorononylethyl carboxydecyl lauryl dimethicone sold asPecosil FST-412 by Phoenix.

The wetting agents may be gemini surfactants. These are also known asdimeric surfactants, and consist of two conventional surfactantmolecules each having a terminal hydrocarbon tail and polar head groupsthat may be cationic, anionic or nonionic and chemically bonded togetherby a spacer that maybe long or short, flexible or rigid. See B. S.Sekhon, Gemini (Dimeric) Surfactants, The Two-Faced Molecules,Resonance, p. 42 (March 2004). Suitable Gemini surfactants are2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyn-5,8-diol sold as Dynol 604 by AirProducts and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-dodecyn-4,7-diol sold as Surfynol104, -700 and -2502 or under the tradename Envirogem, all by AirProducts.

The Hair Treatment Agent

The hair treatment compositions of the present invention preferablycomprise at least one hair treatment agent. The hair treatment agentsfor use in the hair treatment compositions of the present invention areespecially hair fixative agents, hair conditioner agents and mixturesthereof.

The hair fixative agents are typically polymers that provide a morerigid film on the hair following application and keep the hair in placeafter styling, i.e., by combing or brushing. The hair fixatives work bykeeping a plurality of hair strands stuck together by adhesive forces.Thus, the fixative polymers are usually thought of as resins or gums.

The hair fixative agents are often cationic polymers, but may also benonionic, anionic, and amphoteric polymers. Suitable hair fixativeagents are identified in the International Cosmetic IngredientDictionary and Handbook, v. 3, p. 2227-8 (10^(th) Edition 2004)published by the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA)(hereinafter referred to as “INCI”).

The hair conditioning agents are typically cationic polymers thatprovide softness to the hair or that repair damaged hair. Theconditioning polymers generally provide a film on the hair that issmooth and not tacky. Typically, the conditioning polymers are cationicbut may also be nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric. The hairconditioning agents may also be oils, as described in greater detailbelow.

As known in the art, there is some overlap between polymers that providehair conditioning benefit and hair fixative benefits, depending often onthe concentration of the polymer and the other components present in theformulation.

Among the suitable nonionic polymers, mention may be made of homo- andcopolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, especially, copolymers of vinylacetate,in particular those sold under the trade name Luviskol, e.g.,homopolymers Luviskol K 30, K 60 or K 90; copolymers Luviskol VA 55, VA64; and the terpolymer vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate/vinylpropionatecopolymer sold as Luviskol V AP 343 all from BASF; vinylpyrrolidone/acrylates copolymer; vinyl pyrrolidone/hexadecane copolymer,and vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl caprolactam/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylateacrylates copolymer. Other nonionic polymers suitable as the hairfixative agent include VP/acrylates/lauryl methacrylate copolymer;adipic acid/diethylenetriamine copolymer; PEG-8/SMDI copolymer;polyacrylamide-1; polyvinyl acetate; PPG-12/SMDI copolymer;polyurethane-1, polyurethane-14; and polyimide-1 sold as Aquaflex XL-30by ISP.

Natural nonionic hair fixative polymers and derivatives suitable for thecomposition of the present invention neutralized shellac and itsderivatives; guar gum; rhizobian gum; rosin acrylate, xanthan gum anddehydroxyxantham gum; cellulose derivatives, including hydroxypropylcellulose and hydroxyl ethylcellulose; and yeast palmitate. Alsosuitable are inorganics such as magnesium aluminum silicate (Veegum) tothicken hair.

Suitable cationic hair-fixative polymers are those having the INCIcategory name Polyquaternium. Typical examples are Polyquaternium-4,Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10,Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-16, Polyquaternium-22 andPolyquaternium-28, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-55, andPolyquaternium-68 with Polyquaternium-11 (sold as Gafquat from ISP andas Luviquat PQ from BASF) and Polyquaternium-37 (Salcare SC-95)preferred.

Amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, preferably used in mixture with atleast one nonionic and/or cationic polymers, are also found to besuitable for styling compositions of the present invention. Examples arecopolymerisates of N-octylacrylamide, acrylic or methacrylic acid andtertbutylaminoethylmethacrylate known with its trade name Amphomer;copolymers of methacryloylethylbetaine and alkyl methacrylate known asYukaformer; terpolymer of methacrylic or acrylic acid, itaconoic acidand a basic monomer of mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or amethacrylate or acrylate of methacrylamide, known with the trade nameAquaflex SF 40.

Anionic polymers are as well suitable for styling compositions of thepresent invention. Suitable ones are vinyl alkyl ethers, in particularmethyl vinyl ether/maleic acid copolymers, distributed under the tradename Gantrez AN or ES. These polymers may also be partly esterified, asfor example, Gantrez ES 225 or ES 435. Further useful anionic polymersare acrylates copolymer, acrylates/vinyl acetate copolymer; vinylacetate/crotonic acid or vinyl acetate/vinyl neodecanoate/crotonic acidcopolymers of the type Resyn; sodium acrylate/vinyl alcohol copolymers;sodium polyacrylate, sold as A100 by ISP; sodium polystyrene sulfonate,e.g., Flexan 130; ethyl acrylate/acrylic acid/N-tert-butyl acrylamidecopolymers of the type Ultrahold; vinyl pyrrolidone/vinylacetate/itaconic acid co-polymers; and acrylic acid/acrylamidecopolymers or the sodium salts thereof of the type Reten.

The hair fixatives are typically present in an amount of from about 0.01to about 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%, and preferably 1 to 5%, by weight ofthe total composition.

The treatment composition of present invention can comprise hairconditioning agents. Conditioning agents can be selected from oilysubstances, nonionic substances, amphoteric ingredients, and cationicsubstances or their mixtures.

Oily substances are selected from among nonvolatile silicone oils,natural oils, and synthetic oils.

Among silicone oils suitable as a conditioning agent are dimethicone,dimethiconol, polydimethylsiloxane, DC Fluids from Dow Corning;polysilicones, such as polysilicone-1, polysilicone-2, polysilicone-5,polysilicone-10, polysilicone-14; dimethiconol/IPDI copolymer; andbis-PPG-15 dimethicone/IPDI copolymer.

Natural oils suitable herein are olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil,squalane, mineral oil, and combinations thereof. Suitable synthetic oilsinclude the hydrogenated organic compounds, such as hydrogenatedpolydecene, hydrogenated rice bran oil, hydrogenated myristyl oliveesters, and the like. Other nonionic conditioning agents are polyolssuch as glycerin, glycols, such as phytantriol, and low molecular weightpolyethylene glycols known with trade names Carbowax from Union Carbideand Polyox WSR from Amerchol, polyglycerins, and polyethylene glycolmono- or di-fatty acid esters having general Formula I and II,respectively,

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independent from each other, and may be asaturated or unsaturated, branched or nonbranched alkyl with 7 to 21carbon atoms and n is typically 2 to 100. The hair treatmentcompositions can contain further cationic conditioning ingredientsaccording to the Formula III.

-   wherein R₃ (i) is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or    nonbranched alkyl with 8 to 22 carbon atoms; (ii) has the structure    R₇CONH(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₇ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched    or nonbranched alkyl with 7 to 21 carbon atoms and n has typical    value of 1-4; or (iii) has the structure R₈COO(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₈    is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or nonbranched alkyl with 7    to 21 carbon atoms and n has typical value of 1-4;-   wherein R₄ (i) is H or a unsaturated or saturated, branched or    nonbranched alkyl with 1 to 22 carbon atoms; (ii) has the structure    R₇CONH(CH₂)_(n), or (iii) has the structure R₈COO(CH₂)_(n), wherein    R₇, R₈ and n are same as above;-   wherein R₅ and R₆ are individually hydrogen or an alkyl of an    integer of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X⁻ is an anion.

Typical examples of compounds of structure III are cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, steardimonium chloride, dipalmitoyl dimoniumchloride, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride, dioleolethyl dimethyl ammonium methosulfate, anddioleoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate. The quaternized hairconditioning agent compounds can also serve as solubilizing agents forthose ingredients difficult to integrate into the formulations. Othercationic hair conditioning actives include quaternium-8; quaternium-14;quaternium-15; quaternium-18; quaternium-22; quaternium-24;quaternium-26; quaternium-27; quaternium-30; quaternium-33;quaternium-37; quaternium-53; quaternium-60; quaternium-61;quaternium-72; quaternium-78; quaternium-80; quaternium-81;quaternium-82; quaternium-83; quaternium-84; and quaternium-91.

Especially useful are the cationic cellulose polymers such asPolyquaternium-10 sold as UCARE Polymer JR from Amerchol and cationicguar gum known with trade name Jaguar from Rhone-Poulenc, for exampleguar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.

Suitable cationic polymers to condition hair also include quaternizedsilicones such as silicone quaternium-3, silicone quaternium-4, andsilicone quaternium-8. Silicones with aminofunctional groups such asamodimethicone are also suitable.

The conditioning agents further include hydrolyzed organic materialssuch as hydrolyzed casein; hydrolyzed collagen; hydrolyzed hair keratin;hydrolyzed milk protein; hydrolyzed jojoba esters; hydrolyzed soyprotein; hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed rice bran protein; palmityoylhydrolyzed pea amino proteins; amino acids; peptides, and the like.

Useful amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are in particular thevarious known betaines such as fatty acid amido alkyl heroines andsulfobetaines, for example, lauryl hydroxy sulfobetaines, long-chainalkylamino acids such as cocoaminoacetate, cocoaminopropionate andsodium cocoamphopropionate and -acetate.

Also useful amophoteric and zwitterionic substances include betaines ofthe structure:

-   wherein R is a C₈-C₁₈ alkyl group and n is 1 to 3,-   sulfobetaines of the structure:

-   wherein R is a C₈-C₁₈ alkyl group and n is 1 to 3, and-   amido alkylbetaines of the structure:

-   wherein R is a C₇-C₁₈ alkyl group and n and m is 1 to 3. Preferred    are fatty acid amidoalkyl betaines, especially cocoamidopropyl    betaine, and cocoamphoacetate and propionate, in particular the    sodium salts thereof.

Typical concentration range for any of the conditioners mentioned abovecan be 0.01 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, and morepreferably 1 to 5% by weight. Hair fixatives agents and hairconditioning agents can both be present in the compositions of theinvention, typically in a combined amount of from about 0.1 to 10% byweight of the total composition.

Hair conditioning agents suitable herein are tabulated at INCI, v. 3, p.2217-27. Of course, hair treatment agents that might be incompatiblewith any particular wetting agent should be avoided.

Solvent System

The compositions of the present invention are aqueous or hydroalcoholic.The compositions may contain from about 10 to 99% water by weight of thecomposition, preferably from 35 to 95% by weight. In the hydroalcoholiccompositions, the low molecular weight alcohol component may comprise upto about 55% alcohol, typically from about 1 to 55% alcohol, andpreferably 10 to 40% alcohol. Whether the composition is aqueous orhydroalcoholic depends on the choice of other ingredients in thecomposition, including the hair styling component and the need for analcohol based solvent for solubilization. Suitable alcohol componentsare the low molecular weight C₁ to C₈ alcohols, especially, ethanol,isopropanol, and butanol. Also useful are the low molecular weight C₁ toC₈ polyols, in particular propylene glycol, butylene glycol, andhexylene glycol.

The solvent system may further comprise other volatile organic andinorganic solvents that do not exhibit the interfacial properties of thewetting agent, such as cyclomethicone, low molecular weight dimethicone,trimethicone, and mixtures thereof. The term “volatile” means the oilhas a measurable vapor pressure, or a vapor pressure of at least 2 mm ofmercury at 20° C. The other solvent components may be present in thecompositions in an amount of up to about 25%, preferably from 0.001 to10%, and especially 0.01 to 5%, by total weight of the composition.

Optional Components

Additional functional components may be incorporated in thecompositions, in amounts effective to provide their functional benefits,as is know in the art.

Among the functional ingredients, mention may be made of emollients,humectants, sunscreen agents and UV light absorbers, preservatives,fragrances, sequestrants, chelating agents, antioxidants, pH modifiersand dyes. Additionally, solubilizing agents suspending agents, andstabilizers may be incorporated to ensure that the actives aremaintained in solution or in a stable emulsion. Thickeners may beincorporated to provide the proper consistency to the formulation.Propellants may be incorporated in aerosol and mousse products.

Suitable materials are set forth in INCI, v. 3, Section 4.

The present invention can comprise sunscreens and/or UV filters presenteither for stabilization of the product color or for protection of hairfrom environment influences such as loss of elasticity, loss of haircolor (bleaching effect of sun light). Suitable substances are:

4-Aminobenzoic acid and its esters and salts, cinnamic acid and theesters and salts thereof, 4-methoxycinnamic acid and the esters andsalts thereof, salicylic acid and the esters and salts,2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone.

The compositions of the present invention may be made simply by mixingthe required ingredients. In the case of hair styling compositions, theprocedures generally used for like products not containing the wettingagent can be employed, with the wetting agent being incorporated in theaqueous phase by simple mixing.

In the following examples, there are described several preferredembodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific embodiments. The concentrations are on a weight basis of activeingredient, unless the activity is otherwise indicated, either in thedescription of the component or in a footnote.

EXAMPLE 1

A hair conditioner composition in accordance with the present inventionwas prepared comprising 98.895% demineralized water; 1.0% PEG-8dimethicone (2100 MW) available as Silsurf C-208 from Siltech LLC, whichis a 90% active silicone polyethylene ether surfactant having an averageof 8 moles ethylene oxide in a poly(ethylene oxide/prolpyleneoxide)monoalkylether diluent; 0.1% dimethicone copolyol, and 0.005%wheat amino acids.

EXAMPLE 2

A hair conditioner in accordance with the present invention was preparedcomprising 48.895% demineralized water, 50% alcohol SD40B, 1% SilsurfC-208, 0.1% dimethicone copolyol, and 0.005% wheat amino acids.

The compositions of Examples 1 and 2 were tested on 10 females each ofvarious hair types in a standard, blinded half-head comparison whereinan expert evaluator shampooed the hair with a standard shampoo andrinsed. The hair was then parted in the middle and the test product wasapplied to one side and a control of water to the other. Two expertevaluators each dried one side of the head with identical dryers andbrushes. The drying time for the side of the head treated with thecompositions of the invention was 3.0±0.7 and 2.9±0.7 minutes forExamples 1 and 2, respectively. Example 2 left the dry hair slightlyless tangled with significantly less flyaway and slight volumeadvantage. The drying time was significantly less than for untreatedhair, which had a drying time of 3.3±0.7 for the control of Example 1and 3.6±0.9 for the control of Example 2.

EXAMPLE 3

An example of a 3-in-1 styling conditioner is set forth in the followingTable

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Preservative 1.5Polyquaternium-4 0.75 Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide 0.1 Panthenol-DL0.5 Glycerin 2 Wheat amino acids 0.5 Quaternium-80 0.2Polyvinylpyrrolidone 0.75 Phytantriol 0.1 PPG-5-Ceteth-20 0.75 SilsurfC-208 (90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 4

An aerosol styling mousse is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Guarhydroxypropyltrimonium chloride 0.09 Preservative .20 Steareth-20 1.35Stearyl alcohol 0.27 Ceteareth-15 1.125 Sodium methyl cocyl taurate (30%active in water 0.99 diluent) PVP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylatecopolymer 6.75 Panthenol-DL 0.225 Wheat amino acids 0.225 LinoleamideDEA 0.9 Fragreance 0.27 Dimethyl paba amidolaurdimonium tosylate 0.18Phytantriol 0.045 Citric acid 0.02363 Methyl gluceth 10 0.09 SilsurfC-208 (90% active) 1

The composition of the above Table is incorporated into apropellant-type system containing 92% of the composition of the Tableand 8% isobutene/propane propellant.

EXAMPLE 5

The following Table is an example of hair cream.

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Preservative 0.4Ethylhexyl palmitate 12 Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) 0.1 Alcohol SD 40B 7Pearl protein 0.001 Fragrance 0.05 Sorbitan sesquioleate 2 Glycerin 2Veegum 0.2 Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride 0.01 Carbomer 0.2 PEG-40Stearate 2 Sorbitan monostearate 1 Potassium hydroxide 45% 0.05Dimethicone/cyclomethicone 15/85 0.5 Benzyl alcohol 0.5 Silsurf C-208(90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 6

A liquid hair lotion example is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Alcohol SD 40B 35Propylene glycol 10 Glycerin 15 Fragrance 0.1 Wheat amino acids 0.001Aloe/flower blend extract 0.01 Panthenol-DL 0.001 Phytantriol 0.001Silsurf C-208 (90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 7

An example of a styling mousse is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% PVP-60/VA (50% active inethanol diluent) 10 Panthenol-DL 0.5 Disodium cocoamphocarboxypropionate0.7 Fragrance 2 Polyethylene glycol 300-NF 0.25 Fragrance 0.12-Phenoxyethanol 1 Citric acid 0.01 Alcohol SD 40B 6 Silsurf C-208 (90%active) 1

EXAMPLE 8

A styling shape gloss example is shown in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Hydroxyethcellulose 1Propylene glycol 1 Preservative 0.2 Potassium hydroxide 45% 0.01 PVP/VA70/30 copolymer (50% active) 7 Polysorbate-20 1 Fragrance 0.1Amodimethicone/laureth-6/PG blend 1 Methyldibromo glutamine 0.2 SilsurfC-208 (90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 9

A styling gel is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Carbopol 0.9 Phosphoricacid 0.05 Preservative 0.2 Alcohol SD 40B 3.35 PVP-60/VA (50% active) 5Aminomethyl propanol (95% active) 0.85 Panthenol-DL 0.25 Wheat aminoacids 0.25 Fragrance 0.5 Dimethyl paba amidolaurdimonium tosylate 0.3Phytantriol 0.05 PPG-5-Ceteth-20 2 Silsurf C-208 (90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 10

A styling putty is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Butylene glycol 5 Guarhydroxypropyl trimonium chloride 1 Citric acid 0.1 Disodium EDTA 0.2PPG-5-Ceteth-20 2.5 Steareth-21 2 Cetearyl alcohol/ceteareth-20 4.5Glyceryl monostearate 2.5 PEG/PPG-8/3 laurate 1 Algae extract 0.001Creatine 0.001 PVP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer 6 PEG-150 Pentaerythritoltetrastearate/C8–10 GLY 4 Preservative 0.4 Fragrance 0.2 Silsurf C-208(90% active) 1

EXAMPLE 11

A texturing spray wax is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Propylene glycol 3.5Sodium polystyrene sulfonate 4 Hydrolyzed wheat protein/wheatoligosaccharides-blend 0.2 Creatine 0.1 Phenoxyethanol 0.5 Algae extract0.001 PVP/VA copolymer (50% active). 6 Polyquaternium-11 0.25 PPG 26Buteth 26/PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil 0.25 Silsurf C-208 (90% active)1

EXAMPLE 12

A deep nourishing hair treatment is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Panthenol-DL 0.01Creatine 0.4 Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine 1 Behenyl TMAC/cetyl-stearylalcohol 4 Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) 0.05 Phytantriol 0.001Amodimethicone 0.5 Dimethicone/dimethiconol 87/13% 0.5 Preservative 1.0Dicetyldimonium chloride 0.25 Stearyl alcohol 4 Cetyl alcohol 2Quaternium 18 0.25 Glutamic acid 0.2 Glycolic acid (70%) 0.2 Sodiumhydroxide solution 50% q.s. desired pH Wheat amino acids 0.01 Brazil nutoil/sunflower seed oil 0.5 Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract 0.1 Guavaextract 0.1 Corn kernel 0.001 Fragrance 1.5 Silsurf C-208 (90% active)1.0 Color/dyes 0.3

EXAMPLE 13

A hair gel is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water q.s. 100% Hydroxycellulose 2.25Preservative 0.3 POE (75M) lanolin 0.1 Linoleamidoproyl EDES/DLIS 85/153 Sodium PCA 50% 0.1 Glycerin 2.2 Keratin amino acids 0.1 Panthenol-DL0.2 Imidazolidinyl urea 0.2 Protein-hydrolized wheat 0.5Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1.5 POE (20M) Sorbitan monolaurate 1 Dye 0.1Propylene glycol 3 Phosphoric acid 0 Silsurf C-208 (90% active) 1.0

EXAMPLE 14

A hair conditioner is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water Qs. 100 Stearalkonium chloride 25%4 Cetyl alcohol 4 Mineral oil 2 Steareth-2 0.75 Allantoin 0.1 Algaeextract 0.5 Dye 0.1 Glycerin 1 Propylene glycol 0.964 Glycerylstearate/PEG-100 stearate 0.75 Benzoic acid 0.2 Preservative 0.1 SilsurfC-208 (90% active) 1.0 Triethanolamine 99% 0.07

EXAMPLE 15

A silk hair treatment is illustrated in the following Table

Components Amount Demineralized water Qs. 100 Preservative 0.5Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.5 Stearalkonium chloride 25% 4 Isopropyllanolate 2 Cetyl alcohol 1.1 Mineral oil 1 Isopropyl myristate 0.5Stearic acid 3.3 Steareth-2 1 PEG-40 stearate 0.5 Sodium PCA 50% 0.1Sodium lactate 60% 0.2 Allantoin 0.2 Collagen amino acid 0.42 Hydrolyzedsilk 0.4 Imidaxolidinyl urea 0.5 Silk powder 0.02 Glycerin 0.5Triethanolamine 99% 0.36 Fragrance 0.2 Silsurf C-208 (90% active) 1.0

EXAMPLE 16

a) The composition of Example 3 wherein Zonyl FSN-100 is incorporated ata 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

b) The composition of Example 5 wherein perfluorodecalin is incorporatedat a 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

c) The composition of Example 9 wherein perfluorononyl dimethicone isincorporated at a 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

d) The composition of Example 12 wherein Surfynol 104 is incorporated ata 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

e) The composition of Example 13 wherein Q2-5211 Superwetting Agent isincorporated at a 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

f) The composition of Example 14 wherein Zonyl FSK is incorporated at a1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

g) The composition of Example 15 wherein Fomblin HC/H-50 is incorporatedat a 1% level in lieu of Silsurf C-208.

Various modifications of the compositions and method of the inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof and it isto be understood that the invention is intended to be limited only asdefined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:
 1. A method of decreasing the time to dry wet haircomprising applying to already wet hair of a person a leave-in hairstyling composition comprising an aqueous phase having incorporatedtherein a silicone polyether surfactant consisting essentially ofsilicone polymers having a molecular weight from about 600 to about2500, a surface tension from about 15 to 26 mN/m and exhibiting a Draveswetting value of 100 seconds or less, and having the formula:

wherein a is an integer of from 0 to 6; b is an integer of from 1 to 12;x is an integer of from 6 to 12, and y is an integer of from 0 to 3; anddrying the hair, wherein said composition enhances the hydrophobicity ofthe hair to cause dewetting and sheeting of the water in the hair. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the composition contains 0.1 to 5% byweight of said silicone polyether surfactant, and 10 to 99% by weight ofwater.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition contains 0.1 to5% by weight of said silicone polyether surfactant, 35 to 95% by weightof water, 1 to 40% by weight of a low molecular weight alcohol, saidsilicone polyether surfactant exhibiting a Draves wetting value of 30 orless.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the hair is blow dried.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the hair is towel dried.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the composition further comprises 1 to 5% by weight of ahair treatment agent.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the hairtreatment component is a hair fixative polymer selected from the groupconsisting of anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionicpolymers, and combinations thereof.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein thehair treatment agent is a cationic surfactant of the formula

wherein R₃ (i) is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 8 to 22carbon atoms; (ii) has the structure R₇CONJ-(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₇ is asaturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 7 to 21 carbon atoms and n is aninteger of 1 to 4, or (iii) has the structure R₈COO(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₈is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 7 to 21 carbons, and n isan integer of 1 to 4; R₄ has the definition of R₃ or hydrogen; R₅ and R₆are individually hydrogen or an alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X⁻ isan anion.
 9. The method of claim 3 wherein a is an integer of from 1 to3; b is an integer of from 2 to 4; x is an integer of from 7 to 9, and yis
 0. 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the composition contains 0.1 to5% by weight of said silicone polyether surfactant, 0.1 to 5% by weightof hair treatment component, 35 to 95% by weight of water, 1 to 40% byweight of alcohol, and 0.001 to 10% by weight of volatile solvent otherthan the alcohol.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said siliconepolyether surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.05 to 10%by weight and the composition further comprises a treatment agentpresent in an amount of from about 0.01 to 10% by weight.
 12. The methodof claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises a solvent systemcomprising 35 to 95% by weight of water and 1 to 55% by weight of a lowmolecular weight alcohol.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the solventsystem further comprises a volatile solvent other than the low molecularweight alcohol.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the volatile solventis selected from the group consisting of dimethicone, cyclomethicone,trimethicone, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 1wherein said silicone polyether surfactant is present in an amount offrom about 0.05 to 10% by weight; the composition further comprises atreatment agent present in an amount of from about 0.01 to 10% byweight, and water is present in an amount of from about 10 to 99% byweight.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the composition contains 0.1to 5% by weight of said silicone polyether surfactant, 0.1 to 5% byweight of hair treatment component, 35 to 95% by weight of water, andfurther comprises a volatile solvent selected from the group consistingof low molecular weight alcohols, low molecular weight polyols, lowmolecular weight di- and trimethicone, cyclomethicone, and mixturesthereof.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the volatile solvent iscyclomethicone.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the Draves wettingvalue is about 30 seconds or less.
 19. The method of claim 17 whereinthe Draves wetting value is about 20 seconds or less.
 20. The method ofclaim 19 wherein said silicone polyether surfactant has a surfacetension of from about 15 to about 23 mN/m.
 21. The method of claim 16wherein the volatile solvent is selected from the group consisting ofdimethicone, trimethicone, cyclomethicone, and combinations thereof, thevolatile solvent being present in an amount of from about 0.001 to about55% by weight.
 22. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is in aform selected from the group consisting of gels, mousses, creams,sprays, lotions, styling conditioners, and aerosols.
 23. The method ofclaim 1 wherein a is from 1 to 3; b is from 2 to 4, x is from 7 to 9,and y is zero.
 24. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one hairtreatment agent is selected from the group consisting of anionicpolymers, nonionic polymers, cationic polymers, amphoteric polymers,zwitterionic polymers, and combinations thereof.
 25. The method of claim24 wherein the hair treatment agent is a hair fixative agent.
 26. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the at least one hair treatment agent is asurfactant conditioning agent selected from the group consisting ofcationic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, and combinationsthereof.
 27. The method of claim 26 containing as the hair treatmentagent a cationic agent of the formula

wherein R₃ (i) is saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 8 to 22 carbonatoms; (ii) has the structure R₇CONH—(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₇ is saturatedor unsaturated hydrocarbon of 7 to 21 carbon atoms and n is an integerof 1 to 4, or (iii) R₈COO(CH₂)_(n) wherein R₈ is saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon of 7 to 21 carbons, n is integer of 1 to 4; R₄has the definition of R₃ or hydrogen; R₅ and R₆ are individuallyhydrogen or an alkyl of an integer of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X⁻ is ananion.